About Me

My Name Is Peggy, And I'm A Biblioholic

It started early. Pat the Bunny seemed so simple. So safe. And then I met Dick and Jane, and sure, I knew that it could be habit-forming, but not me. I could stop any time I wanted to. Really.

And then they hooked me up with the Doctor. A few hits of Green Eggs and Ham and I was hooked, and hooked hard. I read everything I could get my hands on, and before you know it, I was a print junkie, jonesing for a story fix and strung out on words.

They say the first step to getting better is admitting you have a problem. Well, that ain't what you're gonna get here, darlin'! This is my safe haven to express my love of books, authors, and the act of reading, and I'm damn well gonna wallow in it.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Post Worldcon Euphoria/Exhaustion

Back from my very first Worldcon exhausted and happy. In many ways, Worldcon was like a larger Armadillocon (which is not surprising, given that the same folks are involved in each and the proximity of San Antonio to Austin means lots of familiar faces), and this suits me just fine.

I am amazed at the sheer number of professionals (writers, editors, publishers) running around and their willingness to interact and spend time with those of us who are gape-jawed and starry-eyed. I'm sure it must be similar for other genres, but sci-fi/fantasy/horror folk never seem to forget that they are fans, too, and seemingly relish the opportunity to sit down with a like-minded group and just geek out.

I actually got to participate in some panels this year, and I'd like to thank my co-panelists (Josh Rountree, Sanford Allen, Brad Denton, Michelle Sagara, Lawrence Person, Michael J. Walsh, Gini Koch, Don Webb, William Browning Spencer, Joe Lansdale, James L. Cambias, Peni Griffin, Steven Brust, Elizabeth Moon, Mary Morman, Janet Harriett, Ellen Datlow, David G. Hartwell, and David Nickle) for letting me play in your sandbox and making me feel like a part of the conversation. The panel audiences were great, too, with questions and comments and a real sense of joining the conversation rather than just being talked at.

I loved the opportunity to catch up some with friends I don't get to see very often, but I missed a lot of people, too--one of the great disadvantages of not being a party person. If you were looking for me and didn't find me, I apologize; we'll have to plan better next time. Those of you I did manage to run into, it was great to see you and talk to you (even if only for a little while).

The best thing about the con? Books! Not just new books for me (although there were plenty of those), but talking about books and getting to proselytize about some of my favorites (like Neal Barrett, Jr.) and having people who heard me recommend books go buy said books and tell me how much they were enjoying them (once a bookseller, always a bookseller). I got to hold and pet a copy of Jeff VanderMeer's upcoming Wonderbook and that thing is both amazing and amazingly beautiful--I can't wait for my pre-ordered copy to get here. I loved getting my hot little hands on a copy of Rayguns Over Texas and getting to hear the authors read some snippets and sign my copy (and getting to go to that event at the downtown San Antonio Public Library, which is gorgeous).